Botswana

Botswana has the world’s single richest diamond mine.

Capital: Gaborone Other towns/cities: Francistown, Molepolole, Maun Population: 2.2-million (2018) GDP: $18.6-billion (2018) GDP per capita (PPP): $16 625 Currency: Pula

Regional Economic Community:

Southern African Development Community (SADC), Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Landmass: 581 730km² Resources: Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver. Main economic sectors: Mining, tourism. Other sectors: Services, meat processing, textiles. New sectors for investment: Sustainable tourism, agri-processing, leather and leather products, renewable energy, mineral beneficiation. Key projects: National Development Plan 11, focus on business reforms and export diversification strategy. The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre aims to attract foreign direct investment and there are proposed amendments to immigration laws. Chief exports: Diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, iron and steel products, textiles. Top export destinations: Belgium, India, UAE, South Africa, Singapore, Israel. Top import sources: South Africa, Canada, Israel. Main imports: Machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products, food. Infrastructure: 10 airports with paved runways; 31 747km of roads, of which 9 810km is paved (2017); 888km of railway (2014). ICT: Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 146 (2017). ICT Development Index 2017 (ITU) ranking: 105. Climate: Semi-arid, warm winters and hot summers. Kalahari Desert in the south-west and the Okavango Delta in the north is a huge inland river delta. Religion: Nearly 80% Christian. Also Badimo and others. Modern history: Botswana has made the most of its natural resources and succeeded in turning what was a poor country at the time of its independence from Britain in 1966 into the ranks of middle-income countries. The country has enjoyed long periods of political stability and runs credible elections.

Diamonds and tourism are the two big earners for the country. Both sectors have been carefully monitored and governed. The tourism sector caters to high-end visitors and access to the sensitive Okavango Delta is strictly controlled. Despite these positive factors, Botswana has a high rate of HIV infection and has a number of challenges including rural poverty and shortages of water and power in many areas. It is difficult to get services to sparsely populated parts of the country.

The Botswana Democratic Party has won every election since independence. Sir Seretse Khama was the first President of Botswana, from 1966 to 1980. More recently his son Ian was president and in 2018, Mokgweetsi Masisi become the fifth president of Botswana.